Social Distortion Independent Years: 1983 - 2004

Now in their fourth decade, Social Distortion have officially done one of the most non-punk thing possible: They've failed to burn out. Mixing Springsteen's factory-overalls ethic while supplying plenty of So Cal attitude and aggression, Social Distortion formed with Mike Ness and high school friend, the late Dennis Danell, breaking through in 1983 with the critically acclaimed first album Mommy's Little Monster. Their 1988 follow-up, Prison Bound, hinted at a sonic change to come, and by well before the band's 2004 Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll album, their sound had solidified into the instantly recognizable brand of rock 'n' roll that's defined them since. Social Distortion's vinyl box set, The Independent Years: 1983 --2004, collects the band's independent label releases from Mommy's Little Monster, Prison Bound, and Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll to the compilation Mainliner (Wreckage From The Past), all on unique translucent colored vinyl.

About Each Title

Mommy's Little Monster (Red translucent vinyl) is Social Distortion's 1983 debut album and recorded in a single session after Mike Ness's participation in the 1982 Another State of Mind punk documentary. All Music calls the album 'the epitome of early-'80s suburban California punk and provided inspiration for many future Californians, including the Offspring and Rancid'.

Prison Bound (Clear concrete swirl translucent vinyl) Social Distortion's second album, would arrive in 1988, a full five years after their debut. As evident in the Stone's 'Backstreet Girl' cover, Mike Ness's Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones influences would become Social Distortion's turning point from a raw Orange County punk rock band to the direction that would ultimately define their sound.

Mainliner (Wreckage From The Past) (Clear translucent vinyl) is a collection of early singles and b-sides recorded circa 1983 and compiled for release in 1995. Includes a cover of the Rolling Stones 'Under My Thumb' and the fan favorite '1945'.

Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (Gold translucent vinyl) is Social Distortion's sixth album, released in 2004, eight years after White Light, White Heat, White Trash. Marking a return to their independent label roots, a great deal of the album is a musical eulogy to former classic era guitarist Dennis Danell, who died in 2000. The album's opening track, 'Reach for the Sky' would go on to become one of Social Distortion's biggest hits.